In a pivotal legal battle, Caryn Strickland, a former public defender in North Carolina, faced a setback as a federal judge ruled against her in a sexual harassment case involving the U.S. judiciary. Strickland, who served in the Western District of North Carolina, claimed that her constitutional rights were violated when judiciary officials allegedly mishandled her complaint against her supervisor, J.P. Davis.
The ruling, delivered by U.S. District Judge William Young, came after a non-jury trial in Asheville, North Carolina. Young determined that Strickland failed to prove that her rights to equal protection and due process under the U.S. Constitution were breached. Despite her claims, the judge found no evidence of gender bias or that the investigation into her allegations was a sham, though he did note the process was flawed and took too long.
Strickland, who testified before Congress in 2022 advocating for stronger protections for judiciary employees, argued that her career was derailed after making a “good faith” sexual harassment complaint. Although she lost her case, Judge Young acknowledged the toll the situation had taken on her career, calling for reforms in the way the judiciary handles such complaints.
The ruling comes amid ongoing efforts by Democratic lawmakers to push for legislation that would grant judicial employees greater protections against workplace misconduct. Judge Young echoed these calls for reform, suggesting that judges should take a more active role in addressing sexual harassment complaints.
Strickland’s husband and lawyer, Cooper Strickland, declined to comment on the ruling. Meanwhile, the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts is reviewing the judge’s recommendations and reiterated its commitment to maintaining a respectful workplace.
The case, known as Strickland v. United States, highlights the challenges faced by judiciary employees who seek redress for workplace misconduct, underscoring the need for systemic changes within the federal judiciary.
